Electric power will be provided to the LOX facility via a system of solar panels and associated hardware (Image 1). The solar panels will be folded into a singlewide Lunar Solar Power Module (LSPM).
The panels unfold similarly to the EOS solar panels. Four panels emerge on either side of the LSPM, then two panels flip up to form an eight–panel surface. The panels are then free to rotate in the pitch axis.
The bottom of the module will house the components needed to rotate the LSPM in the yaw axis so that the panels remain orthogonal to the sun.
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| Image 1: Solar Panel Power System |
Each panel measures 3.01 m by 12.19 m or 36.74 m2. The eight extended solar panels produce an area of 293.92 m2. Two solar panel modules are connected to a half–singlewide battery that can withstand repeated lunar nights (darker module in Image 1) using cables stored in a half–singlewide container (red module in Image 1).
The LSPM will generate 48 kW of electricity, which is enough for the Battery to provide 20 kWh of continuous power during the 13.75 days of lunar night. This implies a Battery capacity of 6,720 kW and will take 10 days to fully recharge.
COMPONENT MASS
Singlewide LSPM = 10,500 kg
Half–Singlewide Battery Mass = 10,500 kg
Half–Singlewide Cable and Container Mass = 10,500 kg
SYSTEM MASS
Solar Power System = LSPM + Battery + Cables
Solar Power System = 10500 + 10500 + 10500
Solar Power System = 10500 + 10500 + 10500
Solar Power System = 31,500 kg
Six sets of solar panel systems will provide the Lunar LOX facility with 120 kWh of continuous electric power.
POWERPLANT MASS
Lunar LOX Powerplant = 6 x Solar Power System
Lunar LOX Powerplant = 6(31500)
Lunar LOX Powerplant = 189,000 kg
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